Posts Tagged ‘ice cream shop’

It’s definitely the season for ice cream, and one of the best places to get it on the Old Port is a small ice cream shop and crepe cafe distinguishable by its wooden cut-out of an iconic blonde in a poofy little red and white checkered dress by the door. It’s one of four or five ice cream shops right next to each other, but it’s worth waiting until you get to this one because the others are low-quality compared to the simple and refreshing ice creams at this place. Choices range from vanilla and chocolate soft serve, various hard ice creams, and a couple of sorbets. Service is friendly and helpful – although sometimes more helpful than efficient, as I experienced one time when my ice cream cone was dunked no less than three times into the hot chocolate shell topping, causing it to melt immediately in my hands. I disprove of their use of gummies in lieu of marachino cherries, but that might be the only hitch. They accept Interac and some credit cards and during the summer are open “until there are no people left,” which is sometimes midnight. There are several tables inside and outside, though there are other nearby public benches and places to lean while you eat.

Some of the best artisanal ice cream and sorbet in Montreal can be found at Havre-aux-glaces, my favorite farmer’s market summer treat. Current favorites include: sorbets: mangue (mango) and poire et sortilège (pear and maple whiskey), which is like scooping up pure, succulent pear with a delicious extra depth. Matcha, chai masala, and espresso are my top ice cream choices; vanilla and dulce de leche were too sweet for my taste. There’s a sister store at the Marché Atwater, but I think that this location more flavors. Even a small cup can have two flavors swirled together. It’s a small shop in the indoor section of the market, but once found it’s impossible not to go in. Service is friendly and efficient and the flavors are delicious, delicate and reasonably priced.

One of the hidden gems on campus is the ice cream stand run by McGill’s Engineering Undergraduate Society in, you guessed it, the engineering building (McConnell). If you’re lucky, you can even grab a freshly grilled hamburger or hot dog from a fundraising student group frequently camped out on the patio on your way in – one day, there was even spit-roasted lamb.

For what it is, it’s a great deal. About 12 yummy flavors of Nestle ice cream – now fortunately labeled in English – are generously dished out in variously sized plastic water cups. Flavors often run out and the shop closes mid-afternoon, so go early in the day to get your favorites. Prices are cheap (~$2-$4), but frequent indulgers can save even more by investing in an advance purchase card. There used to be a deal for students with failing midterm or final grades of 30% or less to get a small freebie, but I didn’t check if that’s still offered. On Toonie Tuesday, medium cups are $2. And yes, they’re open during the summer!

I like eating ice cream when it’s cold because it doesn’t melt as fast as it would in the summer. There’s no race to finish it within seconds before your hands are covered in melted ice cream.

I was delighted to notice that a new ice cream shop/café had opened up by the Pointe-à-Callière. Right now there’s only 6 flavours…but they’re all house-made in the tidy little back room visible from the small front area. Comfortable seating is available, but it’s also across from a small park area with benches so when it gets warmer, customers will naturally spill out there. The pleasant owner still has that cheery enthusiasm that comes from someone who’s really interested in what he’s doing. He’ll come and chat about flavours, as he still tinkers with some of them – is the coffee ice cream too strong? Too sweet? I’ve stuck with strawberry twice in a row, but perhaps next time I’ll try the coffee or mango. It was light, refreshing, and creamy. Ice cream can be served in either a plastic bowl, on top of a meringue, or on a waffle. Coffee and hot chocolate are also available.

It’s definitely the season for ice cream, and one of the best places to get it on the Old Port is a small ice cream shop and crepe cafe distinguishable by its wooden cut-out of an iconic blonde in a poofy little red and white checkered dress by the door. It’s one of four or five ice cream shops right next to each other, but it’s worth waiting until you get to this one because the others are low-quality compared to the simple and refreshing ice creams at this place. Choices range from vanilla and chocolate soft serve, various hard ice creams, and a couple of sorbets. Service is friendly and helpful – although sometimes more helpful than efficient, as I experienced one time when my ice cream cone was dunked no less than three times into the hot chocolate shell topping, causing it to melt immediately in my hands. I disprove of their use of gummies in lieu of marachino cherries, but that might be the only hitch. They accept Interac and some credit cards. There are several tables inside and outside, though there are other nearby public benches and places to lean while you eat.

Some of the best artisanal ice cream and sorbet in Montreal can be found at Havre-aux-glaces, my new favorite farmer’s market summer treat. Current favorites include: sorbets: mangue (mango) and poire et sortilège (pear and maple whiskey), which is like scooping up pure, succulent pear with a delicious extra depth. Matcha, chai masala, and espresso are my top ice cream choices; vanilla and dulce de leche were too sweet for my taste. There’s a sister store at the Marché Atwater, but I think that this location has a couple of more flavors. It’s a small shop in the indoor section of the market (between , but once found it’s impossible not to go in. Service is friendly and efficient and the flavors are delicious, delicate and reasonably priced.

Some of the best artisanal ice cream and sorbet in Montreal can be found at Havre-aux-glaces, my new favorite farmer’s market summer treat. Current favorites include: sorbets: mangue (mango) and poire et sortilège (pear and maple whiskey), which is like scooping up pure, succulent pear with a delicious extra depth. Matcha, chai masala, and espresso are my top ice cream choices; vanilla and dulce de leche were too sweet for my taste. Not all of these flavors are found at this location; there’s a sister store at the Marché Jean-Talon that seems to have some additional flavors. Aside from being right at the edge of the trendy public market, it has ample outside seating and is right against the Lachine Canal. Service is friendly and efficient and the flavors are delicious, delicate and reasonably priced.

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Nota bene

Restaurant reviews will be updated annually from each initial review as experienced. If the quality of the resto dips or soars before its yearly report, I will post a new review to reflect as such. Minor updates will be added to the original post.

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